First long ride...
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: SWFL
Planning First long ride... NY to SW Florida - need advice
Ive done many long day rides, but none more then about 6 hours in the saddle in one day. However in June Im planning on riding from downstate NY to SW Florida. We are looking to move there and before we buy a home, we decided it smarter to rent a house for a year to make sure itll be our final destination. Since I was laid off my job of 23 years Im taking the opportunity to ride down on my Road King. With any luck well find something we can lease on the spot, and I can leave my bike in the garage, fly home and get a big u-haul truck for the rest. If we cant close the deal immediately Ill probably arrange for storage of the bike at the local dealer and fly home to move in when the time comes in a couple weeks.
Anyway, maps says its a 19 hour ride. So clearly itll be a two overnight ride. Id rather not just sit on 95 the whole time, and I will plan on stopping at my sisters house in Atlanta for the last night. So Id like some suggestions on a more pleasant route then i95 all the way. The objective is to get there, not really sight see, however Id like to do it as pleasantly as possible.
Will probably look for nicer hotels, dont want any roadside motels, simply for the security of my bike.
So anyone whos done the east coast, have any suggestions, or recommendations on where to look?
Thank.
Anyway, maps says its a 19 hour ride. So clearly itll be a two overnight ride. Id rather not just sit on 95 the whole time, and I will plan on stopping at my sisters house in Atlanta for the last night. So Id like some suggestions on a more pleasant route then i95 all the way. The objective is to get there, not really sight see, however Id like to do it as pleasantly as possible.
Will probably look for nicer hotels, dont want any roadside motels, simply for the security of my bike.
So anyone whos done the east coast, have any suggestions, or recommendations on where to look?
Thank.
Last edited by Mchad; May 13, 2020 at 05:06 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Long Island, New York
I-81 runs parallel to the Blue Ridge, so you can detour as much as you like onto BRP but still be going in the right direction. Plan on an overnight stop in Maggie Valley, stop at Wheels thru Time Museum. From there all back roads into Atlanta. Could be a great ride.
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Joined: May 2019
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From: tennessee
It will be warm the further south you get. Temps on the Blue Ridge Parkway are generally 10 degrees cooler. Even tho the speed limit is lower, it makes for a much better trip. And there are always roads that parallel the parkway in the valleys so you can drop down if the weather is bad up top. At Asheville you can hit I26 and take it to I95, or take state highways. A lot of the state highways thru NC, SC and GA are 65mph speed limit between towns and much more relaxing than the freeway without giving up much time.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2019
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From: tennessee
Coming from Chattanooga we have to deal with Atlanta a lot. If we're going to the east coast of FL we usually just bite the bullet and go right down 75. The only thing that makes it bearable is that bikes can use the HOV lanes through the city. If you time it right it's not too bad. However, if I were the OP, I'd stay well east of Atlanta and avoid it all together (as you suggest).
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: SWFL
Port Charlotte area is destination. My sister lives outside Atlanta so it would be bad for me to ride by and not at least ride by and wave...
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Virginia
Take I 80 out of NY and work your way toward Harrisburg; then toward I 81.
Now, if you're leaving before the end of May, use 95. This virus has lightened traffic quite a bit. I'd say it's about 1/3 of normal during the day around DC.
Now, if you're leaving before the end of May, use 95. This virus has lightened traffic quite a bit. I'd say it's about 1/3 of normal during the day around DC.
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From: Brandon,Fl
Got ya, but keep your heads on a swivel...
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From: Central mass
I’ve driven the east coast (central mass to south Florida) 4 times in the past year and half, 3 round trips in a pickup truck and the last one was in a budget box truck with a uhaul trailer on the back ( saved almost $800 this way, rentals are very expensive when you return them to a different location).
I would seriously plan on making it a 4 day ride or more if you want to avoid 95. The gps lists my trip at 20 hours but even making the bare minimum stops, it still takes us 24-25 hours and that’s with us taking turns driving. The last trip when we moved down with the box truck took almost 3 days and it was miserable. I haven’t done the trip on a bike yet but I will someday and will be planning on making it at least a 4 day trip.
Be careful not to stare at the lines on the rode too much because it can actually hypnotize you.
the best and worst part of the trip is seeing the welcome to Florida sign, it’s very exciting to be in the final state but then you realize you still have 6 hours left (to west palm anyways so ymmv)
I would seriously plan on making it a 4 day ride or more if you want to avoid 95. The gps lists my trip at 20 hours but even making the bare minimum stops, it still takes us 24-25 hours and that’s with us taking turns driving. The last trip when we moved down with the box truck took almost 3 days and it was miserable. I haven’t done the trip on a bike yet but I will someday and will be planning on making it at least a 4 day trip.
Be careful not to stare at the lines on the rode too much because it can actually hypnotize you.
the best and worst part of the trip is seeing the welcome to Florida sign, it’s very exciting to be in the final state but then you realize you still have 6 hours left (to west palm anyways so ymmv)